The 2011 Iditarod Sled Dog race is officially underway after Sunday’s restart in Willow, Alaska, which kicked off the 39th running of the “Last Great Race on Earth” at 6 p.m. EST. Sunday’s restart, just like the ceremonial start on Saturday, was led by DeeDee Jonrowe, making her 25th straight appearance in the famous sled dog race (and 29th overall).
Iditarod 2011: Race Officially Underway As All 62 Teams Depart From Willow
All 62 teams have left Willow, a small town (a population just over 2,000) roughly 50 miles north of Anchorage, on a sunny and relatively warm Sunday afternoon, with temperatures in the low 30s. The mushers and their 16 dogs will now make their way to the next checkpoint, Yentna Station, some 52 miles to the West.
The trail begins on Willow Lake and winds through typical northern forests, consisting of alternating birch woods and spruce swamps. Most of the trail is flat to gently rolling hills. Most of the hills are around the Susitna River. The Yentna Station Checkpoint is located at the confluence of the Susitna and Yentna Rivers.
The teams will leave Yentna Station nearly as quickly as they come in and by Sunday night, all the mushers will have reached the next checkpoint, Skwentna, having traveled a total distance of 86 miles on the first day.
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